Bydureon

Bydureon

There has been a lot of media attention on the recent availability of bydureon on the PBS, which is why this post is produced.

What is bydureon?
Byudreon is an extended release injectable type 2 diabetes therapy that helps control blood sugar levels in the body. It is a long acting form of exenatide. Bydureon can help the pancreas produce more insulin efficiently. It is used in conjunction with other oral diabetic medicine, together with diet and exercise. The benefit of this therapy over insulin is that it may assist with weight loss.

What is the dosing?

  • Bydureon (2mg per dose) is administered once every 7 days and can be given any time of day, with or without meals
  • Some patients can change from byetta (short acting exenatide) to bydureon

What are the common potential side effects?

(this is not a complete list)

  • Local site reaction with itching or bump where the injection was given;
  • Indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation; or
  • Headache